The Sustainable Future Project

Having access to technology means our students can access education and resources they need to become competetive in the job market.

Tumisang is a 17-year-old grade 11 Maths and Sciences studetnt at Mphethi Mahlatsi Secondary School. As part of Afrika Tikkun's career development focus in October, Tumisang engaged the Gradesmatch website, which aligns learners with their ideal careers based on their academic performance. Gradesmatch also assists learners in choosing higher education institutions.

Tumisang would love to study Actuarial Science or Law at the University of Witwatersrand or the University of Cape Town. He's drawn to Actuarial Science is because he strongly believes black representation in the industry is still very low, something he sees this as an opportunity. On the other hand, Tumisang's interest in law stems from his consistently good performance in history. He also loves critical thinking, public speaking and debating.

At Afrika Tikkun's Arekopaneng Centre in Alexandra, Tumisang's participation in activities like Spelling Bee, and Quiz and Debate and has helped build his confidence, developed his critical thinking skills, sharpened his public speaking and oral presentation skills and forced him to be more solution-oriented.

While he was grateful for the insight presented by Gradesmatch, Tumisang was disappointed when Afrika Tikkun couldn't host the annual Career Day because of the national lockdown. "I believe learners should be motivated about subject choices in grade 9 and more of them should pursue maths and science because it helps in problem solving,'' Tumisang stated.

Thank you for your investment in the future of our young people! Your donation is helping many young people like Tumisang to access online learning and quality education. 

I am 17 years old in grade 11 at Realogile high school which is located in Alexandra township. I was raised in rural northern province where I stayed with my grandmother for five years, while my mother looked for work in Johannesburg. My father was not in the picture. My life there wasn't easy because there was a time where I had to be a mother to my young cousins, grandmother and my sick aunt. I always had to make a plan for what we ate since there was no food at home. It was very difficult to sleep with an empty stomach. My situation at home affected me in a way that I started being alone and separating myself from other children.  Hearing them talk about how good they had it at home was hard for me to hear because I was a mother at home and not a child.

During 2016 1 relocated to Alexandra where I currently stay with my aunt in a three room house with is filled with love. My aunt tries her best to ease the pain from my earlier life. My mother relocated to Limpopo and she is currently not working. My father would come and go after certain number of years. He never played his role in my life and still doesn’t. When I needed school stationery and a uniform he would insult me and tell me that he is not an ATM machine. His words have hurt me, him not being part of my life has left a void that cannot be filled.

Afrika Tikkun has turned into my second home. I first found out about Afrika Tikkun from my classmate Koketso. When I got there I felt like I belonged there, that I was part of something positive. Everyone welcomed me with love and surely Afrika Tikkun is my second home. The programs and activities made me realize that there is more in life than smoking and being angry. The center has molded me into a brave young girl who is well groomed and eager to learn more. Now I am an outspoken person, smart and talkative. I am a writer, I write my own poems and currently writing a novel.  Thanks to Afrika Tikkun and their help with my academics, last year I passed my grade 10 very well.

On behalf of 20,000+ students like Seipati, we thank you for your ongoing support and for helping us in empowering young people in South Africa. Because of your contribution, South African youth are able ot overcome the myriad of social challenges they face in their communities and are able to effectively break the cycle of poverty. 

UNICEF South Africa, reports that malnutrition in South Africa is a major underlying cause of death in 64% of the children under five, these high rates of malnutrition translate into poor child outcomes. In South Africa, the unacceptably high proportion of children in poor living conditions means that the stunting rate lies well above the trend for most countries that are at a similar level of economic status. The reality is that the one in five of South Africa’s children continue to live in households that are below the poverty line.

Afrika Tikkun's Nutrition and Food Security Program provides the beneficiaries with age appropriate and dietician certified nutritious meals each time they are at the centres. Food parcels are also provided for those who come from struggling families who cannot afford food.

Mbali lives with her grandmother who is her primary caregiver. However, before she lived with her grandmother, Mbali was living in the streets with her mother who neglected her and never bothered to make a birth certificate for her. The family approached us to help them with the application of the birth certificate. At the time, Mbali was very undernourished and her bones were showing due to her mother’s neglect. We intervened by providing the family with food parcels and providing the basic essentials that Mbali needed.

Mbali is now being developed physically, cognitively, psychologically, socially and physically. The meals from the Nutrition and Food Security Program provided tailored meals that at boosted Mbali’s nutrition and helped her gain weight. She was also helped to access immunization. Mbali is doing well and can finally live her life like a normal, happy little girl.

Thank you for supporting our mission and for helping us serve young people in the most impoverished communities of South Africa!

Meet Khanya. He is currently training in track and field for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Khanya was born in central Johannesburg to two loving parents. Living in Hillbrow, he was exposed to a lot of gang violence and abuse of all kinds. “I started school at the age of six and that is the same year I came to Afrika Tikkun. I began achieving a lot at the center, like winning the first ever drumming competition.”

Today, Khanya is studying graphic design and working as a Djembe drumming facilitator. But it is his kindness Khanya is known for – he learned sign language so he could communicate with a deaf young man who attends the same center. He has pledged to dedicate his time towards uplifting children. “Young people will always strive to be who they want to be, our part is to listen and support them while they make life-changing decisions

Click HERE to watch Khanya tell his story.

We are proud that Khanya excels in his studies, sports, and his work. We are most proud of his kindness and his giving heart. All this was not possible without the support of donors like you. 

Thank you for investing in our young people and for enabling them to pursue their dreams! 

Computer learning is an essential component of Afrika Tikkun’s Career Development Program. We understand that for our students to compete in global market, it is essential for them to have access to updated technology. In our Career Development Program, students are introduced to the world of computers and the internet in an efficient and effective manner. Once our students graduate, they are able to create their own website, create their own CV, use Microsoft Word and use Microsoft Excel. These computer skills come in handy as it is imperative for them to have computer literacy in any job they apply for.

Many beneficiaries expressed the impact of the Career Development Program as being a positive change to their lives. Candidates expressed that Computer Training had a huge impact in their lives as they are now able type out their own CV’s and make use of other computer applications.

Take for example the story of Thulasizwe. Thulasizwe is 22 years old who lives with his mother and younger sister in Orange Farm township (low-income community area). He enrolled in our Career Development Program in 2017. Through this Program, he acquired work skills and computer skills that enabled him to secure a job. Thulasizwe is happy that he got the opportunity to enhance his skills and he hopes to further himself in life so that he can better the lives of his family members.

On behalf of our Afrika Tikkun family, we thank you for enabling us to empower young people like Thulasizwe. Your investment will help disadvantaged kids in South Africa to reach their full potential and become productive citizens.